Chapter 21: How I Wish We Could Achieve Greatness Together! (Please Continue Reading!)

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Startled by Li Yi’s sudden words, Tian Yu and Zhao Yun exchanged glances in surprise. Li Yi wasted no time and presented them with a brocade box. Upon opening it, they found inside the county official seals.

“What is this...?” Tian Yu and Zhao Yun looked at each other, their hearts already piecing together the meaning.

Li Yi spoke, “Both generals fear neither life nor death, fighting valiantly on the battlefield. The lord, to commend your achievements, has decided to appoint General Guo Rang as the Magistrate of Pengcheng, commanding two thousand troops to govern the city.”

“General Zilong shall serve as the Deputy Commander of a separate division, also commanding two thousand troops, stationed in Xiaopei to assist Deputy Governor Chen in administration.”

Though mentally prepared, Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were still taken aback by the news. The terms Liu Bei offered were incredibly generous and sincere. The position of Magistrate of Pengcheng was a high-ranking post equivalent to a Prefect, and Liu Bei was essentially entrusting the only two commanderies under his control directly to Tian Yu.

He was handing over both troops and authority.

Considering that Liu Bei’s current forces, including the troops given by Tao Qian from Danyang, totaled barely six thousand, this meant entrusting two-thirds of his army to Zhao Yun and Tian Yu—a testament to his immense trust in them.

In truth, Liu Bei hesitated before granting such extensive military power. It was not a matter of doubting Zhao Yun or Tian Yu’s integrity, but rather because Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were his closest comrades, and naturally, they should have been prioritized.

Yet Li Yi insisted on dividing the forces to placate Tian Yu and Zhao Yun. Given Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s loyalty, they could bear this slight for the time being. Even if displeased, once the political situation stabilized, Liu Bei could recruit more troops and entrust them with commanding a larger army.

Moreover, the troops Liu Bei currently led were mainly veteran soldiers from the north; keeping them close was sufficient. To truly vie for supremacy over the realm, six thousand men alone would never suffice. He needed the support of the people of Xuzhou.

“Generals, do not disappoint the lord’s intentions...” Li Yi pressed gently upon seeing their hesitation.

As the saying goes, a soldier would die for one who truly understands him.

Liu Bei’s sincerity was enough to move Tian Yu and Zhao Yun, and Li Yi’s arrangement made good use of their talents.

Tian Yu was a strategist by nature, and after the devastation of Pengcheng, the fields lay barren and the population decimated. How to reclaim the land and recruit people would be a tremendous challenge, one that would fully test Tian Yu’s abilities—a benefit both for Liu Bei and Tian Yu.

Sending Zhao Yun to govern Xiaopei was meant to cultivate his political skills. History records that Zhao Yun once served as a magistrate; he certainly possessed a foundation in governance. Yet, young as he was, Liu Bei wished for him to gain experience alongside Chen Qun to prepare him for greater responsibilities.

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At the same time, this also served to “monitor” Chen Qun, or rather, to keep an eye on him.

After all, Xiaopei remained under Liu Bei’s control. As long as Liu Bei retained Xiaopei and Xuzhou, Chen Qun would not leave.

These aristocratic families were loyal to whoever controlled their homeland.

Ultimately, Chen Qun’s opposition to Liu Bei entering Xuzhou stemmed not only from political considerations but also from familial interests.

If Liu Bei remained in Yuzhou, as a prominent clan in Yuzhou, Chen Qun would surely enter the center of power. But if Liu Bei established himself in Xuzhou, the political upper echelons would naturally belong to the local gentry of Xuzhou.

Xiaopei was the gateway linking Yuzhou and Yanzhou; holding it would ease future domination of the Central Plains.

“Lord, I...” Zhao Yun rose first, his expression still tinged with hesitation.

“Oh? Does General Zhao have difficulties?” Li Yi’s lips curved slightly, as if everything was under control.

“Speak plainly; the lord is a reasonable man and will surely not refuse a just request.”

After a moment’s pause, Zhao Yun finally spoke.

“The other day, someone from my hometown came to inform me that my elder brother Zhao Jun has passed away. Since the death of my father, I have been raised by my elder brother.”

“Now that he has died, I must return to my old home in Changshan to attend the funeral.”

“I beg the lord’s understanding!”

His tone was resolute; Zhao Yun seemed to have suppressed this for a long time.

“...Ah.” Liu Bei sighed deeply, shaking his head helplessly.

What was meant to come would come; he truly could not keep him.

Li Yi frowned, as if saddened for Zhao Yun, and sighed, “I see, the passing of your elder brother is a great sorrow. This is the path of filial piety, and General Zilong’s request is reasonable.”

“I believe the lord will understand.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei thought silently—has the gentleman given up?

Alas, how he wished to achieve great things together with him.

Had Liu Bei been more thick-skinned and begged persistently, perhaps he could have kept Zhao Yun. But Liu Bei was not the type to disregard natural bonds of kinship.

“Zilong, your brother’s death pains me greatly as well.”

“I know your heart longs for home; I only ask that we spend one more night together before your departure.”

At this moment, Liu Bei appeared so pitiable that even Li Yi was moved.

The lord may lack many skills, but in winning hearts and gaining loyalty, few in the world could match him.

Hearing those words—just one more night together—uttered by a lord, sounded utterly humble.

If Li Yi were Zhao Yun, he would surely feel reluctant.

This only proved that sincerity truly was a decisive weapon.

Treat others with sincerity, and they will return the same.

Indeed, Zhao Yun, overwhelmed with grief, knelt with tears and said,

“I have chosen my lord to serve since coming down the mountain, and have never encountered one like the lord.”

“But in the end, I cannot betray my principles!”

Liu Bei also shed tears and helped Zhao Yun to his feet, sighing, “I curse that I cannot achieve greatness with you.”

The scene was deeply moving. Tian Yu, standing nearby, secretly wiped away tears.

Only Li Yi maintained a composed expression, thinking, “Lord Liu Bei, have you forgotten why we gathered tonight?”

“I agreed to let Zhao Yun return for the funeral, but never said I would give him up.”

“Why utter words like ‘I curse that I cannot achieve greatness with you’?”

“I am not without reserves.”

Yet Li Yi did not interrupt them. Once their emotions settled, he invited everyone to drink and eat.

After three rounds of wine, Li Yi spoke again:

“I noticed General Guo Rang seemed hesitant earlier. Since we are all here, perhaps you might as well speak your mind.”

I...

Tian Yu was momentarily taken aback. He had indeed wanted to seize the moment and bid farewell to Liu Bei.

But witnessing the farewell scene between Liu Bei and Zhao Yun, he felt reluctant. At least, he could not bring himself to speak now.

“...Sir.”

Liu Bei glanced at Li Yi, who seemed to not wish to pressure Tian Yu. For once he spoke, it would mean Tian Yu was also leaving.

For now, even an extra day’s stay was valuable.

“Please, my lord, do not doubt...” Li Yi gave Liu Bei a knowing look, who immediately understood.

At some unknown moment, an unspoken tacit understanding had formed between the two.

Seeing this, Liu Bei chose to trust Li Yi and remained silent.

Tian Yu, seeing this, could only speak reluctantly.